Native Americans - these were the indigenous from the New World at the time of the first European explorers. These people were mostly hunter/gatherers.
Land Bridge - allowed the Native Americans to cross from Russia to the New World. Existed due to lower sea levels.
Iroquois League - Made up by five tribes known as the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca. Controlled mostly the Great Lakes area.
AP Note- Tensions existed between the Europeans and the Indians mostly because of their different views of religion and the land. The Indians were strong believers in that land is borrowed and can not be owned while the European explorers were convinced that they could by the land of the natives.
AP Note - Maize was the staple crop of the South-western natives and much of the Central American tribes as well.
Tribes by Location:
Ohio River Valley and Southeast Mississippi- These were the mound builders of the Ohio Valley. These natives had the highest degree of cooperation of any of the natives in North America as well as the most powerful leaders. These Indians had the largest cities and could even metal work to a very high degree. One of the few areas to actually have class distinction.
Eastern Woodlands- These natives hunted, fished and cultivated corn and other crops. They lived mostly off the land and lived wherever there was water where they could fish and grow crops.
Great Plains- This area was inhospitable to the natives until the introduction of the hunting rifle by the Spanish which allowed the natives to hunt buffalo. The buffalo was essential to the survival of the natives in this area as it provided them with food, clothing, and building materials for their houses.
The Southwest- These natives were most influenced by the Meso-American culture due to their location. They were made up of a classless society. These natives were the finest at pottery, weaving, and shell working.
Pacific Northwest Coast- These people mostly hunted, fished and gathered for their food supply. These natives could have been called the most wealthy of all the natives as they had the most leisure time of any of the natives. They were also the creators of the Totem Poles that recorded their history and their beliefs. They had large houses, many dishes, nets, clothing, boats and other things.
Religion in the New World:
Half-Way Covenant- Decision made by the Congregational churches in New England in the 1650's to combat the lack of newcomers to the religion. It offered partial membership rights to those believers who had not yet gone through regeneration.
Blue Laws- the Puritans created extremely strict laws to limit simple pleasures in normal life.
Great Awakening- came from John Edwards who published Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, which gave people a new passion in the church.
Society of Friends- were also known as the Quakers which were founded by George Fox.
Toleration Act of 1649- guaranteed liberty of conscience for all who believed in the divinity of Jesus. Marked as a huge stepping stone toward religious freedom.
Trade in the New World:
Mercantilism- The economic idea that played a major role in European nations during the 16th century through the 18th century. Nations were to have to export more than they import to obtain a favorable balance of trade. They would also need to create colonies to obtain natural resources and a market for finished goods.
Columbian Exchange - During the discovery of the New World, there were many biological and cultural exchanges that took place between the Americas, Europe, and Africa. The potato and corn were shipped to Europe and became important crops there. Horses and diseases came to the New World and wiped out millions of Natives.
Navigation Acts- An act passed by the British government in hope of applying their Mercantile theorem. It required all goods in colonial trade to be taken to English Ports to be taxed. They were not rigidly enforced until the 1760s, when the British began taxing the colonies and created much tension between the colonies and Britain.
Joint Stock Companies- People of the upper middle class or of the wealthy aristocracy in Europe would pool their capital into these corporations. They would share the risks but also share in the profits as well.
Fur Trading- this was the economy that dominated New France. It lead to the extinction of beavers in many parts of New France.
Salutary Neglect- the British had ignored the colonies because they were unimportant at this time. The colonists figured that they could rule themselves even with the absence of the British.
Triangle Trade-was the trade between Africa, West Indies, and New England which involved slavers, sugar, molasses, tobacco, grain, fish, and many more.
Middle Passage - The route slave traders took during the shipping of slaves from Africa to the New World. Thousands of slaves perished.
Settling in the New World:
Treaty of Tordesillas- Decreed by Pope Alexander VI. All land north of the this line would be given to Spain and all land South would be given to Portugal. France and Britain were excluded from this and caused them to reject it.
Hudson River Settlements- the Dutch built a series of forts along the Hudson river, they would eventually be kicked out by the British.
Plymouth- founded by the Separatists who wanted to be completely separate from the Church of England and able to survive their winter winter from the help of the Native Americans.
Indentured Servants - It provided a solution to the shortage of labor, especially in the Chesapeake colonies. Immigrants paid for their voyage to the New World by selling 4 to 7 years of services. They were to gain 50 acres of land at the end of their servitude, which quickly ran out and led to Bacon's Rebellion.
Encomienda - a system used by the Spanish which used Native Americans as a source of labor. They often abused the Natives and resulted in a depopulation of the area. Caused much tension within the colonies.
Mayflower Compact- established the road to democracy in the colonies and the basic legal system. It was the beginnings of government in the New World.
Bacon'sRebellion - a rebellion led by Nathaniel Bacon against Governor Berkley discontented with the scarcity of women and land, made up of mostly indentured servants. Led to lessoning use of indentured servants in the colonies.
Law in the New World:
Leisler's Rebellion- All during the Glorious Revolution, Jacob Leisler led a rebellion in New York because he and many other Dutch workers resented the British. He set up a government of popular representation which was eventually overthrown by the British.
Zenger Trial- Andrew Hamilton established freedom of the press as his defense was, that the truth must be a good defense against that charge.
Chesapeake Colonies:
Jamestown (Virginia)- This was created in 1607 by a Joint Stock Company named after King James 1st. Many people came to James Town thinking they could strike it rich and squandered their time searching for gold. John Smith came and saved the colony. John Rolfe married Pocahontas and ensured economic viability by learning how to cultivate tobacco from the Indians.
Maryland - Founded by Lord Baltimore in 1634, it was created as a refuge for Catholics. They introduced tobacco to assure its economic success. They later passed the Toleration Act of 1649 which guaranteed liberty of conscience for all who believed in the divinity of Jesus in Maryland.
New England
Plymouth (Massachusetts) - created in 1620 by Separatists. They moved away from England because they had broken away from the Church of England. This made up about half of the crew on the Mayflower. They landed on the western side of Cap Code Bay.
Massachusetts Bay - This colony was the only colony to start in great numbers, with the "Great Migration" of people from England to New England numbering 185,000. John Winthrop was the leader of this colony. He believed that he would build a Puritan city that would be "a city upon a hill."
New Haven - Founded by john davenport and Theophilus Eaton in 1638, was later absorbed by Connecticut against its wishes in 1662.
Rhodes Island - Founded by Roger Williams in 1636, it became a place for dissenters to go. This colony became a haven for people like Williams and Anne Hutchinson. She believed that faith and God's grace alone were enough to earn a place among the "elect." She was eventually tried for heresy and was banished to Rhodes Island.
Maine and New Hampshire - Given by land grants to John mason and Ferdinando Gorges. They later divided it in 1629. Although it would be absorbed into Massachusetts Bay Colony for some time, it would later become independent in 1680.
Southern Colonies:
North Carolina - Originally a part of South Carolina, it was chartered off in 1663. It sort of became a barrier between Virginia and South Carolina later.
South Carolina- Founded by 8 proprietors in 1670, it modeled after Maryland and created a written Constitution. It quickly established an aristocracy with rich plantation owners. This was the largest rice exporting colony in the New World.
Georgia- A very unique colony in the fact that it was created for the purpose of being a buffer state against attacks from Florida and the Spanish.
The Middle Colonies:
Pennsylvania- this was payment granted to William Penn for a debt. He became the absolute proprietor of this colony and publicized his colonial venture to attract Welshman, Quakers, Irish, and the Dutch. William Penn was also able to keep the peace with the Indians for 75 years.
New Jersey - This was created after the Duke of York gave this land to George Carteret and Lord John Berkley in 1665. They promised religious liberty, land acquisition on easy terms, and the right to democratically elect the legislature.
People and their Significance to this Time Period:
Pre-Columbus:
Leif Erickson- a Norseman (Viking) that explored Labrador, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Massachusetts.
Portuguese Explorers:
Prince Henry- The King of Portugal, he was known as "the Navigator" due to his interest in nautical exploration. During his rule, Portugal explored Azores, Madera, and Cape Verde Islands and began to explore their way around Africa.
AP Note- Prince Henry was responsible for starting the age of exploration.
Vasco de Gama- A Portuguese captain that sailed around Africa and reached India in 1498. The profits from his voyage were 600% as he brought back spices and other goods.
Spanish Explorers:
Christopher Columbus- He tried to get Portugal to finance his expedition of India across the Atlantic but failed. Eventually, Spain backed his voyage and financed the expedition. He landed in San Salvador Island in the Bahamas and was convinced that he had landed in India. He died believing that he found the sea route to India.
Ferdinand Magellan- credited for circumnavigating the globe from 1519 -1522. He was killed in the Philippines and the voyage would be completed under Cano.
Juan Ponce de Leon- he made explorations into Florida in 1513 looking for the fountain of youth, but died in the process by some natives.
Francisco Pizarro- He conquered the Inca Empire in Peru from 1531 -1534 and gained riches in silver for Spain and themselves.
Hernando Cortez - He was the Spanish conquistador that conquered the Aztec Empire from 1519-1522.
French Explorers:
Samuel de Champlain- French sailor who made 11 voyages to Canada establishing the fur trade in the process. Named the father of New France and became the unofficial governor of this colony.
Dutch Explorers:
Henry Hudson- sailed for the the Dutch East India Company and explored Newfoundland, Delaware Bay, James Bay, and Hudson Bay.
American Colonist Leaders:
Anne Hutchinson - She often spoke up against the church and criticized its ministers. She began practicing and advocating antinomianism, the belief that faith and God's grace alone were enough to earn a place among the "elect." She was eventually exiled from Puritan society and banished to Rhodes Island.
John Winthrop - Leader of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. His famous quote and his belief that Massachusetts Bay Colony should be, "a city upon a hill." He believed that his colony was a model colony that all of Europe should see and follow after.
John Smith - When most of the habitants of the Jamestown colony were squandering their time searching for gold, John Smith came and said his famous quote, "He who does not work, shall not eat." He became the savior of the first British colony in the New World.
John Rolfe - He turned Jamestown colony into a economically viable city by learning and introducing tobacco as an export to Europe. He also married Pocahontas.
Nathaniel Bacon - Leader of Bacon's rebellion that protested the scarcity of women within the colonies and Tidewater's dominance in the Virginia assembly. It ended with Governor Berkeley crushing the rebellion and the deaths of many Native Americans and colonists. 20 rebels were hung in the end.
10 Primary Source Documents:
1. A Model of Christian Charity by John Winthrop
Source: John Winthrop, “A Modell of Christian Charity,” 1630.
. . . wee must be knitt together, in this worke, as one man. Wee must entertaine each other
in brotherly affection. Wee must be willing to abridge ourselves of our superfluities, for
the supply of others’ necessities. Wee must uphold a familiar commerce together in all
meekeness, gentlenes, patience and liberality. Wee must delight in eache other; make
other’s conditions our owne; rejoice together, mourne together, labour and suffer together,
always haueving before our eyes our commission and community in the worke, as
members of the same body. . . . The eies [eyes] of all people are upon us. Soe that if wee
shall deale falsely with our God in this worke wee have undertaken, and soe cause him to
withdrawe his present help from us, wee shall be made a story and a by-word through the
world. APPARTS: Author: John Winthrop Place and Time: Massachusetts Bay Colony, 1630 Prior Knowledge: Massachusetts Bay Colony was called the "City upon a hill" by John Winthrop. It was supposed to be a model society for all of Europe to see and follow. Audience: The people of Massachusetts Bay Colony. Reason: This document by John Winthrop was an attempt to set up the kind of society in Massachusetts that he believed would become a model society for Europe and all other
colonies to follow. The Main Idea: It is necessary to create a kind of society that not only Europe could see and model after, but to also demonstrate to the other colonies in the New World what to become as well. Significance: Many of the liberties and values created from the "City upon a hill" remained within the colonies. Ideas such as liberty and freedom that came from this colony spread across this new world and became the back bone for the eventual freedoms guaranteed by the creation of the United States and the Constitution.
2. The Enlarged Salem Covenant of 1636
Source: The Enlarged Salem Covenant of 1636.
In public or private, we will willingly do nothing to the offence of the church . . .
We bind our selves to study the advancement of the gospel in all truth and peace; both in
regard of those that are within or without [church membership] . . . not laying a stumbling
block before any, no, not the Indians, whose good we desire to promote . . .
We do hereby promise to carry our selves in all lawful obedience to those that are over us,
in Church or Commonwealth, knowing how well pleasing it will be to the Lord . . .
We resolve to approve our selves to the Lord in our particular callings; shunning idleness
as the bane of any state; nor will we deal hardly or oppressingly with any, wherein we are
the Lord's stewards.
Promising also unto our best ability to teach our children and servants the knowledge of
God, and of His Will, that they may serve Him also; and all this not by any strength of our
own, but by the Lord Christ . . .
APPARTS: Author: Salem Covenant Place and Time: Salem, New England, 1636. Prior Knowledge: New England was by far the most religious region of the North American colonies. Audience: People of the New England Colonies Reason: This document solidified the church's role in the lives of the New England colonists. Religion would become the center of the lives of each family, and each town as a whole. The Main Idea: It is necessary to set up a kind of government in the New World. For the religious New England Colonies, the governments that would be set up around Christianity. Significance: Many New England town had these kinds of documents. These documents both created a type of central government controlled by the church as well as bound people to obey without question this kind of law. It created a kind of oppressive religious society in the New England Colonies that would lead to the eventual emergence of the First Great Awakening.
3. A Plea for Religious Liberty by Roger Williams
Source: Roger Williams, “A Plea for Religious Liberty,” 1644.
God requireth not a uniformity of religion to be enacted and enforced in any civil state;
which enforced uniformity sooner or later is the greatest occasion of civil war, ravishing of
conscience, persecution of Christ Jesus in his servants, and of the hypocrisy and
destruction of millions of souls.
APPARTS: Author: Roger Williams Place and Time: 1644 Prior Knowledge: Roger Williams was the founder of Connecticut, becoming one of the states to develop a written constitution known as the Fundamental Order of Connecticut. Audience: The people of the New England Colonies Reason: To set up a type of government that would allow for any branch of Christianity to be worshiped. The Main Idea: This was kind of an announcement that showed that Connecticut would be a place of religious tolerance in the New World and among the colonies. Significance: Connecticut was one of the first colonies to start experiment with different kinds of religious freedom. This is the kind of religious freedom that Pennsylvania and the Quakers later tried to follow.
4. Town Map, Colonial New England
APPARTS: Author: Unknown Place and Time: New England Colony, 1600s Prior Knowledge: The New England Colonies were the most religious of the 3 regions in the 13 British colonies. Audience: People of New England Reason: Unknown The Main Idea: This map clearly demonstrates that the town and probably the government was centered around Christianity. Significance: The Puritans had a very oppressive life style. This, paired with the city back built around the church set up the perfect scenario for the 1st Great Awakening and the Salem Witch Hysteria.
5. After Colonists' attack on the Pequot Village, William Bradford
Source: William Bradford, after the colonists’ attack on the Pequot’s Mystic River village,
1637.
It was a fearful sight to see them thus frying in the fire, and the streams of blood quenching
the same; and horrible was the stink and scent thereof; but the victory seemed a sweet
sacrifice, and they gave the praise thereof to God, who had wrought so wonderfully for
them, thus to enclose their enemies in their hands, and give them so speedy a victory over
so proud, insulting, and blasphemous an enemy.
APPARTS: Author: William Bradford Place and Time: 1637 Prior Knowledge: William Bradford is the English Leader of the colonist group that landed at Plymouth Colony. Audience: Unknown Reason: Unknown The Main Idea: There was much conflict between the colonists and the Indians. The colonists, believing that it was their divine right by God to conquer and expand, often attacked the Indian population already weakened by disease and drive them off their land. Significance: Due to major differing ideas on land ownership and religion, conflict was inevitable. The Puritans believed in their version of manifest destiny during this time period and used it to justify the slaughtering of thousands of Indians. This led to the complete annihilation of the Native population in this region of the New World.
6. The Simple Cobbler of Aggawam, Nathaniel Ward
Source: Nathaniel Ward, The Simple Cobbler of Aggawam, 1647.
He that is willing to tolerate any religion, or discrepant way of religion, besides his
own, unless it be in matters merely indifferent, either doubts of his own or is not sincere
in it. . . .
That state that will give liberty of conscience in matters of religion, must give liberty of
conscience and conversation in their moral laws, or else the fiddle will be out of tune, and
some of the strings crack.
APPARTS: Author: Nathaniel Ward Place and Time: New England Colony, 1647 Prior Knowledge: Nathaniel Ward was the writer of the first written Constitution in North America, The Bodies of Liberty. Audience: People of the New England Colony Reason: To demonstrate which religions would be legal in the area. The Main Idea: He was responsible for setting up the first real law within North America. He gave religious tolerance to all Christians, no matter their fraction from the religion they worship in. Significance: The giving of religious freedom to any and all Christians was a huge step in the direction of the religious tolerance that would come about by later colonies. It was a stepping stone that colonies like North Carolina and Pennsylvania used it giving more religious tolerance and freedoms to their people.
7. The Cause of God and His People in New England, John Higginson
Source: John Higginson, “The Cause of God and His People in New England,” 1662.
My Fathers and Brethren, this is never to be forgotten that New England is originally a
plantation of Religion, not a Plantation of Trade. Let merchants and such as are increasing
Cent per Cent remember this. . . . that worldly gain was not the end and designe of the
people of New England, but Religion.
APPARTS: Author: John Higginson Place and Time: New England Colony, 1662 Prior Knowledge: He was a clergy member in the New England Colony Audience: People of the New England Colony Reason: To try and convince the people to focus more on religion rather than commerce and return to their traditional values. The Main Idea: Through time, the religious hold that the church had on New England Colony was actually weakening slightly when commerce and trade was becoming more profitable. It was his goal to try and return everyone to the church. Significance: With this slow drifting from the church and the state, it set up a perfect position for the 1st great awakening to occur, with the half-way covenants allowing more people to participate in religion.
8. Limitation of Government, John Cotton
Source: John Cotton, “Limitation of Government,” 1655.
Let all the world learn to give mortal men no greater power than they are content they shall
use— for use it they will. And unless they be better taught of God, they will use it ever and
anon. . . . No man would think what desperate deceit and wickedness there is in the hearts
of men.
It is therefore most wholesome for magistrates and officers in church and commonwealth
never to affect more liberty and authority than will do them good, and the people good:
for whatever transcendent power is given will certainly overrun those that give it and
those that receive it. . . .
It is therefore fit for every man to be studious of the bounds which the Lord hath set: and
for the people, in whom fundamentally all power lies, to give as much power as God in His
word gives to men. . . .
So let there be due bounds set—and I may apply it to families: it is good for the wife to
acknowledge all power and authority to the husband . . .
And so for children and servants, or any other you are to deal with: give them liberty and
authority you would have them use, and beyond that stretch not the tether; it will not tend
to their good nor yours.
APPARTS: Audience: John Cotton Place the Time: New England Colony Prior Knowledge: John Cotton was an English clergyman and colonist. Audience: People of the New England Colony Reason: To set limitations to the government of the New England Colony The Main Idea: When people are given to much power they tend to corrupt. So the people should build a government based around Christianity and give most of the power to their lord to prevent this. Significance: This was the style of government that was to ever-present in the New England Colonies. All governments during this time period were build around the church and it's laws. This often created a very restrictive society bound entirely by the church.
9. Last Will and Testament, Robert Keayne
Source: Robert Keayne, in his last will and testament, 1653.
[My account books] . . . testify to the world on my behalfe that I have not lived an idle,
lazie or dronish life nor spent my time wantonly, fruitlessly or in company keeping as
some have beene too ready to asperse [criticize] me or that I have had in my whole time
either in Old England or New, many spare houres to spend unprofitably away or to
refreshe myself with recreations . . . but have rather studyed and endeavored to redeeme
my time as a thing most deare and precyous to me and have often denyed myself in such
refreshings that otherwise I might lawfully have made use of.
APPARTS: Author: Robert Keayne Place and Time: New England Colony, 1653 Prior Knowledge: Robert Keayne was the speaker of the house of the Massachusetts general court. Audience: Unknown Reason: To criticize the society of the New England Colony The Main Idea: Much of what the church outlawed in the colony made it very unprofitable for his business. Significance: Not everyone was in agreement with the church being in leadership of the new england colony.
10. A Statement About Education in New England, 1643
Source: A statement about education in New England, 1643.
After God had carried us safe to New England, and wee had builded our houses, provided
necessaries for our livelihood, rear’d convenient places for Gods worship, and settled the
Civil Government: One of the next things we longed for, and looked after was to advance
Learning, and perpetuate it to Posterity; dreading to leave an illiterate Ministery to the
Churches, when our present Ministers shall lie in the Dust. And as wee were thinking
and consulting how to effect this great Work; it pleased God to stir up the heart of one
Mr. Harvard . . .
APPARTS: Author: Unknown Place and Time: New England Colony, 1643 Prior Knowledge: The government in the New England Colony was completely built around the church. Audience: The people of the New England colony Reason: To promote education in the New England Colonies The Main Idea: In the New World, the towns should now start building schools to advance learning in Christianity. Significance: The society of the New England colonies were very centered around the church, everything from the schools to the laws.
4 Sample FRQ's:
1. Analyze the early encounters that affected the relationships between the Native Americans and colonists.
2. Describe how the Salem Witch Trials impacted the colonists' tensions in their newly created society.
3. In what ways did ideas and values held by Puritans influence the political, economic, and social development of
the New England colonies from 1630 through the 1660s?
4. Describe the Puritan contribution to what makes up the American character by focusing upon any TWO of the following areas:
religion
education
morality
work ethic
Think about:
-How about the attitudes and the actions in which the Indians and colonists reacted towards each other. (Movement westward)
-what was a possible cause of the witch trials.
-how the Europeans treated the native people.
5 Credible Sites:
Pre-columbian lesson
-A quick overview on the different native groups of North America. Colonial Timeline
-A literal time line of North American events from 1499 to 1763. 13 original colonies
-A detailed summary of each of the 13 colonies. Introduction of tobacco
-A history of how tobacco became a staple crop in the Southern Colonies. Spanish Explorers
-A summary of the most important Spanish explorers for the AP.
Unit 1 - Foundations of North American Colonies
Vocabulary with Definitions:
Table of Contents
Tribes by Location:
Religion in the New World:
Trade in the New World:
Settling in the New World:
Law in the New World:
Chesapeake Colonies:
New England
Southern Colonies:
The Middle Colonies:
People and their Significance to this Time Period:
Pre-Columbus:
Portuguese Explorers:
Spanish Explorers:
French Explorers:
Dutch Explorers:
American Colonist Leaders:
10 Primary Source Documents:
1. A Model of Christian Charity by John Winthrop
Source: John Winthrop, “A Modell of Christian Charity,” 1630.. . . wee must be knitt together, in this worke, as one man. Wee must entertaine each other
in brotherly affection. Wee must be willing to abridge ourselves of our superfluities, for
the supply of others’ necessities. Wee must uphold a familiar commerce together in all
meekeness, gentlenes, patience and liberality. Wee must delight in eache other; make
other’s conditions our owne; rejoice together, mourne together, labour and suffer together,
always haueving before our eyes our commission and community in the worke, as
members of the same body. . . . The eies [eyes] of all people are upon us. Soe that if wee
shall deale falsely with our God in this worke wee have undertaken, and soe cause him to
withdrawe his present help from us, wee shall be made a story and a by-word through the
world.
APPARTS:
Author: John Winthrop
Place and Time: Massachusetts Bay Colony, 1630
Prior Knowledge: Massachusetts Bay Colony was called the "City upon a hill" by John Winthrop. It was supposed to be a model society for all of Europe to see and follow.
Audience: The people of Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Reason: This document by John Winthrop was an attempt to set up the kind of society in Massachusetts that he believed would become a model society for Europe and all other
colonies to follow.
The Main Idea: It is necessary to create a kind of society that not only Europe could see and model after, but to also demonstrate to the other colonies in the New World what to become as well.
Significance: Many of the liberties and values created from the "City upon a hill" remained within the colonies. Ideas such as liberty and freedom that came from this colony spread across this new world and became the back bone for the eventual freedoms guaranteed by the creation of the United States and the Constitution.
2. The Enlarged Salem Covenant of 1636
Source: The Enlarged Salem Covenant of 1636.In public or private, we will willingly do nothing to the offence of the church . . .
We bind our selves to study the advancement of the gospel in all truth and peace; both in
regard of those that are within or without [church membership] . . . not laying a stumbling
block before any, no, not the Indians, whose good we desire to promote . . .
We do hereby promise to carry our selves in all lawful obedience to those that are over us,
in Church or Commonwealth, knowing how well pleasing it will be to the Lord . . .
We resolve to approve our selves to the Lord in our particular callings; shunning idleness
as the bane of any state; nor will we deal hardly or oppressingly with any, wherein we are
the Lord's stewards.
Promising also unto our best ability to teach our children and servants the knowledge of
God, and of His Will, that they may serve Him also; and all this not by any strength of our
own, but by the Lord Christ . . .
APPARTS:
Author: Salem Covenant
Place and Time: Salem, New England, 1636.
Prior Knowledge: New England was by far the most religious region of the North American colonies.
Audience: People of the New England Colonies
Reason: This document solidified the church's role in the lives of the New England colonists. Religion would become the center of the lives of each family, and each town as a whole.
The Main Idea: It is necessary to set up a kind of government in the New World. For the religious New England Colonies, the governments that would be set up around Christianity.
Significance: Many New England town had these kinds of documents. These documents both created a type of central government controlled by the church as well as bound people to obey without question this kind of law. It created a kind of oppressive religious society in the New England Colonies that would lead to the eventual emergence of the First Great Awakening.
3. A Plea for Religious Liberty by Roger Williams
Source: Roger Williams, “A Plea for Religious Liberty,” 1644.God requireth not a uniformity of religion to be enacted and enforced in any civil state;
which enforced uniformity sooner or later is the greatest occasion of civil war, ravishing of
conscience, persecution of Christ Jesus in his servants, and of the hypocrisy and
destruction of millions of souls.
APPARTS:
Author: Roger Williams
Place and Time: 1644
Prior Knowledge: Roger Williams was the founder of Connecticut, becoming one of the states to develop a written constitution known as the Fundamental Order of Connecticut.
Audience: The people of the New England Colonies
Reason: To set up a type of government that would allow for any branch of Christianity to be worshiped.
The Main Idea: This was kind of an announcement that showed that Connecticut would be a place of religious tolerance in the New World and among the colonies.
Significance: Connecticut was one of the first colonies to start experiment with different kinds of religious freedom. This is the kind of religious freedom that Pennsylvania and the Quakers later tried to follow.
4. Town Map, Colonial New England
APPARTS:
Author: Unknown
Place and Time: New England Colony, 1600s
Prior Knowledge: The New England Colonies were the most religious of the 3 regions in the 13 British colonies.
Audience: People of New England
Reason: Unknown
The Main Idea: This map clearly demonstrates that the town and probably the government was centered around Christianity.
Significance: The Puritans had a very oppressive life style. This, paired with the city back built around the church set up the perfect scenario for the 1st Great Awakening and the Salem Witch Hysteria.
5. After Colonists' attack on the Pequot Village, William Bradford
Source: William Bradford, after the colonists’ attack on the Pequot’s Mystic River village,
1637.
It was a fearful sight to see them thus frying in the fire, and the streams of blood quenching
the same; and horrible was the stink and scent thereof; but the victory seemed a sweet
sacrifice, and they gave the praise thereof to God, who had wrought so wonderfully for
them, thus to enclose their enemies in their hands, and give them so speedy a victory over
so proud, insulting, and blasphemous an enemy.
APPARTS:
Author: William Bradford
Place and Time: 1637
Prior Knowledge: William Bradford is the English Leader of the colonist group that landed at Plymouth Colony.
Audience: Unknown
Reason: Unknown
The Main Idea: There was much conflict between the colonists and the Indians. The colonists, believing that it was their divine right by God to conquer and expand, often attacked the Indian population already weakened by disease and drive them off their land.
Significance: Due to major differing ideas on land ownership and religion, conflict was inevitable. The Puritans believed in their version of manifest destiny during this time period and used it to justify the slaughtering of thousands of Indians. This led to the complete annihilation of the Native population in this region of the New World.
6. The Simple Cobbler of Aggawam, Nathaniel Ward
Source: Nathaniel Ward, The Simple Cobbler of Aggawam, 1647.He that is willing to tolerate any religion, or discrepant way of religion, besides his
own, unless it be in matters merely indifferent, either doubts of his own or is not sincere
in it. . . .
That state that will give liberty of conscience in matters of religion, must give liberty of
conscience and conversation in their moral laws, or else the fiddle will be out of tune, and
some of the strings crack.
APPARTS:
Author: Nathaniel Ward
Place and Time: New England Colony, 1647
Prior Knowledge: Nathaniel Ward was the writer of the first written Constitution in North America, The Bodies of Liberty.
Audience: People of the New England Colony
Reason: To demonstrate which religions would be legal in the area.
The Main Idea: He was responsible for setting up the first real law within North America. He gave religious tolerance to all Christians, no matter their fraction from the religion they worship in.
Significance: The giving of religious freedom to any and all Christians was a huge step in the direction of the religious tolerance that would come about by later colonies. It was a stepping stone that colonies like North Carolina and Pennsylvania used it giving more religious tolerance and freedoms to their people.
7. The Cause of God and His People in New England, John Higginson
Source: John Higginson, “The Cause of God and His People in New England,” 1662.My Fathers and Brethren, this is never to be forgotten that New England is originally a
plantation of Religion, not a Plantation of Trade. Let merchants and such as are increasing
Cent per Cent remember this. . . . that worldly gain was not the end and designe of the
people of New England, but Religion.
APPARTS:
Author: John Higginson
Place and Time: New England Colony, 1662
Prior Knowledge: He was a clergy member in the New England Colony
Audience: People of the New England Colony
Reason: To try and convince the people to focus more on religion rather than commerce and return to their traditional values.
The Main Idea: Through time, the religious hold that the church had on New England Colony was actually weakening slightly when commerce and trade was becoming more profitable. It was his goal to try and return everyone to the church.
Significance: With this slow drifting from the church and the state, it set up a perfect position for the 1st great awakening to occur, with the half-way covenants allowing more people to participate in religion.
8. Limitation of Government, John Cotton
Source: John Cotton, “Limitation of Government,” 1655.Let all the world learn to give mortal men no greater power than they are content they shall
use— for use it they will. And unless they be better taught of God, they will use it ever and
anon. . . . No man would think what desperate deceit and wickedness there is in the hearts
of men.
It is therefore most wholesome for magistrates and officers in church and commonwealth
never to affect more liberty and authority than will do them good, and the people good:
for whatever transcendent power is given will certainly overrun those that give it and
those that receive it. . . .
It is therefore fit for every man to be studious of the bounds which the Lord hath set: and
for the people, in whom fundamentally all power lies, to give as much power as God in His
word gives to men. . . .
So let there be due bounds set—and I may apply it to families: it is good for the wife to
acknowledge all power and authority to the husband . . .
And so for children and servants, or any other you are to deal with: give them liberty and
authority you would have them use, and beyond that stretch not the tether; it will not tend
to their good nor yours.
APPARTS:
Audience: John Cotton
Place the Time: New England Colony
Prior Knowledge: John Cotton was an English clergyman and colonist.
Audience: People of the New England Colony
Reason: To set limitations to the government of the New England Colony
The Main Idea: When people are given to much power they tend to corrupt. So the people should build a government based around Christianity and give most of the power to their lord to prevent this.
Significance: This was the style of government that was to ever-present in the New England Colonies. All governments during this time period were build around the church and it's laws. This often created a very restrictive society bound entirely by the church.
9. Last Will and Testament, Robert Keayne
Source: Robert Keayne, in his last will and testament, 1653.[My account books] . . . testify to the world on my behalfe that I have not lived an idle,
lazie or dronish life nor spent my time wantonly, fruitlessly or in company keeping as
some have beene too ready to asperse [criticize] me or that I have had in my whole time
either in Old England or New, many spare houres to spend unprofitably away or to
refreshe myself with recreations . . . but have rather studyed and endeavored to redeeme
my time as a thing most deare and precyous to me and have often denyed myself in such
refreshings that otherwise I might lawfully have made use of.
APPARTS:
Author: Robert Keayne
Place and Time: New England Colony, 1653
Prior Knowledge: Robert Keayne was the speaker of the house of the Massachusetts general court.
Audience: Unknown
Reason: To criticize the society of the New England Colony
The Main Idea: Much of what the church outlawed in the colony made it very unprofitable for his business.
Significance: Not everyone was in agreement with the church being in leadership of the new england colony.
10. A Statement About Education in New England, 1643
Source: A statement about education in New England, 1643.After God had carried us safe to New England, and wee had builded our houses, provided
necessaries for our livelihood, rear’d convenient places for Gods worship, and settled the
Civil Government: One of the next things we longed for, and looked after was to advance
Learning, and perpetuate it to Posterity; dreading to leave an illiterate Ministery to the
Churches, when our present Ministers shall lie in the Dust. And as wee were thinking
and consulting how to effect this great Work; it pleased God to stir up the heart of one
Mr. Harvard . . .
APPARTS:
Author: Unknown
Place and Time: New England Colony, 1643
Prior Knowledge: The government in the New England Colony was completely built around the church.
Audience: The people of the New England colony
Reason: To promote education in the New England Colonies
The Main Idea: In the New World, the towns should now start building schools to advance learning in Christianity.
Significance: The society of the New England colonies were very centered around the church, everything from the schools to the laws.
4 Sample FRQ's:
1. Analyze the early encounters that affected the relationships between the Native Americans and colonists.2. Describe how the Salem Witch Trials impacted the colonists' tensions in their newly created society.
3. In what ways did ideas and values held by Puritans influence the political, economic, and social development of
the New England colonies from 1630 through the 1660s?
4. Describe the Puritan contribution to what makes up the American character by focusing upon any TWO of the following areas:
Think about:
-How about the attitudes and the actions in which the Indians and colonists reacted towards each other. (Movement westward)
-what was a possible cause of the witch trials.
-how the Europeans treated the native people.
5 Credible Sites:
Pre-columbian lesson
-A quick overview on the different native groups of North America.
Colonial Timeline
-A literal time line of North American events from 1499 to 1763.
13 original colonies
-A detailed summary of each of the 13 colonies.
Introduction of tobacco
-A history of how tobacco became a staple crop in the Southern Colonies.
Spanish Explorers
-A summary of the most important Spanish explorers for the AP.
2 Video Clips:
-Age of Exploration
-Early American Colonies